The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-28

feel in rejoining her husband.
She slept very badly, at times GER
tain that Roger would return her
letter, and, at others, dreading that
he would not do so, especially when
she remembered his insolent, ironi,
cal look.
About 7 o'clock in the morning,
Just as the fatigue brought on by her
emotion was setting her asleep, she
was awakened with start by the
sound of hurried footsteps,
Some one raped at the door.
Alice. il is ;" called out Mr..
Vivien's joyful voice.
She fastened to let him in, eI-
claiming with transport. "Whyl is it
you, already? / was not expecting
you for two days yeti
Il wished to surprise you. Twas
able to finish all my business . little
ahead of time, but | did not dare to
send you word, as l was afraid that
at the last moment something might
have sprung up to detain me in
Paris"
The young woman's heart was
Overlooking with happiness in being
again with her husband, who loved
her so tenderly, while at the same
time it was oppressed with feelings
of shame and remorse.
All OF sudden she gave a start !;
it was striking 8 o'clock; the post
man would soon arrive with news
papers and letters, and among them
would be that cursed letter Of hers.
She would have been glad to find
some excuse,to send her husband of,
but IDEAS fitted so rapidly through
her mind that she could grasp no
single one. With her eyes fixed on
the clock, she could only repeat to
herself: "Tho postman is coming
with my letter."
IL am hungry said Mr.. Vivien I;
suppose we 60 down TO breakfast.
| have been travelling since mid
night"
And both went down together.
As luck would have it, the post
man was behind time that morning.
To Alice the voice of her husband
sounded as il would have done ip a
distant dream, as she pictured TO
herself the row that was going to
take place.
She looked at him eating 80 hearth
ly, his eyes beaming with tenderness
aud confidence, and she thought how
soon all that quiet happiness would
vanish, and all through her fault.
At last she heard the postman' s
foottep, and. soon after, the servant
laid the mail on the table.
Mr.. Vivien looked mechanically
at the envelopes; there were three
letters.
Alice, overcome with terror, felt
the blood coursiog about her TEN.
pies and buzzing through her ears
as she closed her eyes, almost ready
to faint away,
who writes to you in this placer
asked her husband, handing her a
small, scented envelope addressed in
a strange handwriting.
Il don't know" stammered she.
Look and see"
But Alice held her letter without
daring to open il.
"Well, why don't you read that
letter." insisted Mr.. Vivien.
Then, with 4 movement OF despair
she abruptly handed him the letter,
saying:
''Read Il YOURSELF" and she await.
ed, expecting 10 see everything fall
TO pieces about her.
She heard the noise Of tearing pa.
per, and then, after few seconds Of
mortal agony, her husband said:
THE letter is signed Roger do
Beaumont. He is the secretary OF Q
benevolent committee, and request,
your aid in raising funds for the
orphans"
A few days later, Mr.. Yivien took
Alice back 10 Paris. The young
woman had not seen anything OF
Roger, and she was terribly worried
by the thought that her letter had
remained 10 the young mans posses
sion.
The remembrance Of that letter
had become the torture of her life.
At times she would have n Graz
notion Of throwing herself AZ he
husbands feet and acknowledging
her moment Of folly, but she wa
terrified at tho thought that IL nigh
destroy their quiet happiness
Another fear also oppressed her anC
choked down the avowSl that he
oycrburdcned heart wished TO make
will my husband really believ,
that man obtained only those few
lines OF love from me2'
She would occasionally see Rogei
at the play, at the races, or on th,
promenade. la looking AZ her h
would always smile in such a MOCK
ing way that she would tremble from
shame and anguish
Ten years went by in this way
At last they met by chance on,
event ~ AZ a grand bali. Roger cam,
forward 10 engage Alice for a dance
II was only by superhuman effor
that she did not faint. but on reflect
ing that she would perhaps neve
again have an opportunity oil speak
log 10 the man who held her honor
nay, even her life, in his hands, sh,
accepted the invitation.
"Sir," said she in low voice, "foi
Heavens sake have pity on me thii
time. Give me back my peace o
mind. During the past ten years o
my life | have been tortured almos
TO death. For PHYS sake, roturl
the letter which ] so foolishly wrot'
10 you"
Roger burst out in loud, careless
laugh, while the woman stood pant
ing with Impotence and anger.
At last he answered frankly, hi
voice still seeming full Of fun:
why do you think that | hay
been keeping all the love letters tina
| received during my life2 Ga m
honor, | swear il. 4 lighted m
cigar with yours the day you lei
the seaside, when | saw that all hop
was lost"
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